FreeFreeDescription
He walked out of Mamy's bedroom towards the parlour feeling deeply subdued. He didn't enjoy being in their family home at all, though he couldn't figure out why. Whenever he returned like this, it always ended in a heavy, drained feeling with zero energy.
Sitting in the parlour, Mamy asked, "Rehaan, where are you going?"
He turned to look at her and replied, "I'm going to take a bath, and then I want to go see Mummy."
Mamy nodded, understanding that by "Mummy" he meant Jafar's mother, and said, "Okay, but don't go alone." He nodded without saying anything and walked out of her apartment towards his own.
As he stepped out, he bumped into Mama, who was seeing a female visitor off from her section. He slightly averted his gaze and walked slowly past them toward his wing.
Mama’s friend watched him until he disappeared and exclaimed, "Goodness! Is this what you put up with? He’s too arrogant to even greet you? Let alone expecting him to say good afternoon to me?"
Mama shook her head and said, "He’s a wild child. He only speaks to me when he feels like it, let alone offering greetings. In this entire house, there is no one quite as insolent as him. He can spend two weeks in this country and still not find it in himself to say good afternoon to you."
"And you just sat there, folding your arms and letting him disrespect you to this extent? You are the first wife; you are the senior wife in this house!"
"You know very well I don't just sit idly. There is nothing I haven’t tried, but sometimes it feels like my efforts yield no results. Even now, as I speak, I'm working on it."
"Don't slack off. You need to deal with him with force and severity. Don't let him look down on you or brush you off like that ever again—it's a massive form of disrespect. If he had done that in front of our friends, it would have ruined us and completely stripped away your dignity, I swear."
"You must crush his status by force. Let's launch a campaign with spiritualists (malamai) to help us bring him down. Once he is subdued, ruin his reputation so he can never rise again. If we don't do this, mark my words, everything will fall into the hands of the other woman's daughter."
"Just say it! I will never let anyone surpass my children. You know I won't allow that to happen. I don't know how I fell asleep and let Rehaan reach this level; I don't know how it happened. But now I am awake, and I don't let my eyes sleep; I am out seeking help—all just to see the end of this grand status of his. And I know I will see it, because I can do anything to achieve it."
"Wicked boy, I even hate him myself, let alone you. Just look at how he stared right at us with a blank face and walked past."
Just then, Salman walked past, snatching candy from some kids and making silly faces with his mouth like a child, even though he was a grown man. At first glance, you could tell he was mature; the physical frame and stature God gave him were thoroughly adult-like, complete with facial hair, a fair complexion, and striking good looks.
He looked at Mama, pointed at the candy, and said, "I won't give it to you."
She slightly curled her lip and said, "Go ahead and finish your things, thank you." He ran past her and entered Umma's space.
Mama and her friend burst into laughter, high-fiving each other. She asked, "Wait, wasn't that Salman, your co-wife's son?"
Mama replied, "Yes, it's him."
"Has his madness gotten this much worse? He looks older than Sameer, doesn't he?"
"He's older than Baba, let alone Sameer. Sameer is right after Rehaan."
The woman laughed slightly and said, "God's power! He has ended up looking like your grandfather."
"He even looks handsome sometimes; other times, it's just pure pity."
"That's exactly how I want to see Rehaan—wandering around the streets with kids following behind him and calling him a madman."
Mama laughed and said, "We’ll talk on the phone later, I have some hot gossip," as she walked her friend to her car, where she got in and drove off.
Rehaan watched as his older brother ran past, with the young children of the house chasing him to snatch the candy from his hand.
He let out a sigh and entered his apartment, his heart heavy with grief over the scene. After stepping inside, he turned back, walked over to his father's apartment, and greeted them. Umma answered from the living room, and as he pushed the door open, he locked eyes with her.
Rehaan asked, "Is Abba around?"
Coldly, she replied, "He's at Daada's place."
Without saying a word, he turned and headed towards Daada's apartment because he wanted to talk about Salman.
He found Abba sitting alongside Baffa, Abba’s younger brother, close to Daada. He greeted them, they responded, and he walked over and sat down.
He looked at Abba's younger brother and said, "Baffa, good afternoon."
With a smile, he replied, "Fine, Rehaan. How is your health?"
"I'm feeling better."
"May God increase your health."
"Amin."
He looked at Abba and said, "Abba, I went to your place, but you weren't there."
Abba asked, "Is everything alright?"
Rehaan glanced at Daada, and their eyes met. She glared at him and snapped, "Or should I give you a seat?"
He averted his gaze from her and said, "Actually, it's about Hamma Salman. I saw that his condition has deteriorated again, Abba, not like the last time I came and saw him. I didn't feel good about how I saw him now, which is why I came to talk to you about it. There is a doctor I know who can operate on him, and, God willing, he will get better."
Abba let out a sigh and said, "Rehaan, it's not today that people started treating Salman."
Rehaan countered, "Even so, Abba, you never know where healing will come from. Besides, he has never undergone surgery before. If we try it, it might work."
Baffa said, "That's true. You never know where recovery lies; medical treatment is like groping in the dark."
Daada chimed in, "Even I feel immense pity for this boy's situation. He has regressed to the mind of a five-year-old child. He is older than Baba, older than Sameer, older than Muhammad, yet he has become like the toddlers of the house. It's heartbreaking."
Rehaan said, "I was actually planning to go to Jeddah; I will have his visa processed so we can take him there for a proper checkup."
At that moment, Salman rushed in, with children chasing him to grab the chocolate from his hand.
Banisha ran in and said, "Hamma, give me my chocolate!"
He shrugged his shoulders and said, "I won't give it to you. Abba bought it for me."
She glared at him and said, "You didn't buy it yourself! I was just standing there and he snatched it from my hand. Seriously, give it to me." Seeing she was about to overpower him, he ran off, and she chased after him.
Salman ran close to Rehaan and said, "Look, Banisha is going to take it from me, right?"
A wave of emotional pain washed over Rehaan's heart. He let out a sigh and asked, "Kiddo, what is this?"
Whining, she said, "I just came out from Mamy's place and he snatched it. I don't even mind him, yet he just grabbed it from me."
"Go to my room and take another one."
Banisha glared at Rehaan, while Salman stuck his tongue out at her while holding Rehaan's hand.
Salman offered a piece of candy to Rehaan's mouth and said, "Eat it."
Rehaan shook his head and said, "No thank you, Hamma, I don't eat it."
Salman pushed it closer and said, "I only gave this to you. If not for you, I wouldn't even give it to Daada. Eat it, it's sweet," he said as he tried to put the candy into Rehaan's mouth. Rehaan held his hand to signal he didn't want it.
Looking like he was about to cry, Salman asked, "You won't eat it? Do you also think I'm dirty? You're the only one who loves me, and even you won't eat it?"
Rehaan opened his mouth gently, and Salman popped the candy in while laughing. Rehaan smiled back at him, filled with deep pity and affection.
He looked at the people watching them; pity was evident on everyone's face. Daada was crying, and Rehaan himself felt his heart break as if he were about to weep.
Abba let out a breath, looked at Rehaan, and asked, "Rehaan, what do you want to be done now?"
"Let's just take him to Jeddah. Since I'm based there, I can take care of him myself. Or if Umma wants to go, she can come so we stay with him there. God willing, he will recover."
At that moment, Umma walked in, saying, "Daada, good afternoon to you all. Salman, it's you I'm looking for. Get up, let's go take your medication."
He shrugged and leaned his head on Rehaan's shoulder, signaling he wouldn't go. Rehaan looked at him, noticing his face was covered in overgrown facial hair because it hadn't been trimmed, and said, "We will go and get your hair trimmed," as he gently stroked his face.
Umma glared at Rehaan and said, "Well, it's not like you're usually the one taking him for grooming, is it? Father of dramatics! You're over there living in a foreign country, and today you suddenly remember someone needs a haircut? Is that because you're implying I don't take him?"
Just then, Mama walked in with greetings. Having heard from Umma that she and Rehaan were at Daada's place, she rushed over because she wanted to see how things would play out.
Abba said, "Come in and sit down; we were actually deliberating. Rehaan has a proposal regarding Salman."
Rehaan kept looking at Salman, who had messed up his own clothes with candy and even stained Rehaan's clothes. Salman then started pulling at Rehaan's hair; despite the pain, Rehaan didn't say a word or stop him.
Abba announced, "Rehaan wants to take Salman to Jeddah for medical treatment."
Umma's face darkened as she asked, "What kind of treatment? Is he sick?"
Daada looked at her in absolute shock and asked, "Are you waiting for someone to tell you he is sick?"
"Well, I see him living his life just fine, don't I?"
"He's being taken to a psychiatric hospital."
Umma shook her head vehemently and said, "No! I swear my son is not mad. There is no psychiatric hospital he is going to."
Abba corrected her, "A neurological/brain hospital, not a madhouse."
Umma retorted, "It's all the same! Anyone taken to see a brain specialist is automatically labeled a madman in people's eyes. My son is not crazy, and he is not going to any hospital, I swear. I didn't ask for help, thank you for the intention, may God reward you, but he is not going."
Baffa intervened, "Haba, madam! What are you saying? Just because they want to take him to the hospital to check his brain, does that mean he is mad?"
Daada, overwhelmed with frustration toward Umma, snapped, "Well, what else is he if not mad? Even if Salman isn't directly called mad, he's called mentally unstable. Anyone doing the things Salman does is a madman of the highest order."
Umma tightened her face into a hard scowl, remaining silent while shaking her head and glaring at Daada.
Abba stated, "Rehaan said he wants to take him to the hospital for a checkup, so they will go together. If you want to go with them, you can all travel."
"Truthfully speaking, how many times has he been taken to the hospital? How many times has he been checked? It's always the same story—that there's nothing wrong with his brain. Honestly, I do not consent. He is going nowhere."
Abba was about to speak when Daada cut him off, saying, "You've made it easy for him anyway; after all, it's his money, not yours or your husband's. He made the intention out of goodwill and family ties. If he does it, he's not just helping himself—he's helping your own son! Since you don't want it, fine, you've saved yourself the trouble. Go back to wrestling with him in a room just to get him dressed. One day you'll wake up and find he has broken your arms and legs."
Umma stood up and declared, "God will grant him health! It is God who inflicted this on him, and He is the one who will lift it. I swear my son is not mad! He is a child like any other; he is a child just like everyone else's child in this house. This is a temporary affliction and it will pass."
"The way inheritance is distributed to a sane person, his share will be given to him just the same. I didn't ask anyone to take him to the hospital. Keep your money and spare everyone the stress; I never asked for help in the first place. If you have such intentions, there are plenty of needy people out there; go help them instead. Your name will be far more elevated doing that than doing it for me. Come, let's go," she said, walking toward Salman, who was staring at her.
Salman, sitting close to Rehaan, said, "Umma, I'm staying with Rehaan."
She widened her eyes at him and snapped, "Get up right now, mister, and let's go! You are not staying with him. Is he your mother's younger brother?"
Salman refused to move. As she opened her mouth to yell again, Abba shouted, "Salamatu, leave this parlour!"
She tried to talk back, but he bellowed at her, "I said get out!" She shook her head and stormed out in a rage.
Mama looked at Abba and Daada and said, "Take heart. She didn't act right, though. What's wrong with someone offering to help your own flesh and blood?"
Daada replied, "Leave that foolish woman alone. Everything she does is driven by jealousy; she’s even jealous of seeking medical recovery for him! Mtsww! Let her keep him and soak him in water to drink since she thinks she can handle it."
Mama said, "May God set things right," stood up, and left without saying another word.
Abba looked at Rehaan, who was patiently tolerating Salman's teasing, and said, "You heard what his mother said. You might as well drop the idea."
Baffa argued, "Why should he drop it? He wasn't doing it for her sake anyway, but for the sake of God and family ties. He shouldn't stop."
Daada added, "Since his mother doesn't want it, she won't allow it. Just leave him to her as he is."
Salman stood up and walked out. Rehaan followed him with his gaze, let out a deep sigh, feeling his pity for him multiply inside his heart. Without saying anything, he stood up, left the parlour, and went back to his own apartment.
As soon as Mama left Daada's place, she headed straight to Umma's apartment. She found her fuming and boiling with anger, sitting down and tapping her foot in distress and frustration over what had just happened.
Mama praised her, "You did the right thing! You did the right thing by showing that other light-skinned brat that you are the one in control of Salman, not him. You did the right thing by refusing to let him be taken to the hospital. Besides, why is that boy looking at Salman like a madman anyway?"
Umma fumed, "Rehaan is getting on my nerves, Mama. Rehaan is pushing me to the point of doing things I never imagined I'd do to him. Did I ask him to take Salman to the hospital?"
"He just wanted to show off his wealth, to prove he has money your son doesn't have—especially since he can afford to take him to Jeddah for treatment. That's all it is."
"His useless money! His money will never stress me out, I swear. And as for Salman, he is not going to any hospital! Since when did people care about taking him anywhere? I swear Abba is the one encouraging Rehaan behind the scenes. Did you see the way Abba yelled at me right in front of him?"
Mama replied, "You know Abba always supports whatever Rehaan wants. But since you stood your ground and showed that nobody has authority over your son except you, nobody can bully you. He's full of pride just because he's a 'baba-legbe' (traveler/westernized)."
Umma said, "And then Riyya called me on the phone saying, 'Umma, I didn't see your account details, Hamma Rehaan gave me money to send to you,'" she mocked Riyya's voice with a lip curl. She hissed and added, "They really are desperate to be number one in this house."
"He sent some to me too! When I saw the huge amount, I called her, and she said it was for shopping courtesy of Rehaan. I didn't even say thank you before hanging up."
Umma hissed, "His time is up. He will eventually come crawling right back into our palms."
"Very soon, too. Just make sure you never agree to that hospital nonsense. Nadira was brought for you, not me. If you let them take him away, she wins against you."
"I swear, even Abba cannot force me to agree. Since I said I don't want it, leave me alone! I'm the one taking care of him, not anyone else."
Mama agreed, "That's true, nobody is going near him except you. Let me go back," she said, walking out of the apartment and leaving Umma grumbling. Mama, however, smiled to herself—how could she ever allow Salman to be treated? How could she let Salman get better? If he gets well, it means added competition for family wealth, and she only wants her own children to inherit.
Once Rehaan finished dressing up, he called Shams and Mansur. Even though he preferred going out alone, Mamy had insisted he shouldn't travel solo, which prompted the call. He got into the car and headed to Mummy's house as he had promised.
He entered the parlour with greetings, and they responded, looking up at him. Mummy exclaimed happily, "Well, well, well, Rehaan! Today you are finally gracing our house?" He smiled as he walked further inside.
Hearing Rehaan's name, a beautiful young lady (Riyya's age mate) leaped out of the kitchen. As their eyes met, he flashed her a soft smile—since he always viewed Riyya through the lens of Ikram anyway. She shrieked in excitement, ran towards him, and threw her arms around him in joy.
She almost knocked him off balance; the way she leaned against his body made him stagger backward, and he had to brace himself firmly to catch her, saying, "Ikram."
Mummy warned, "You're going to knock him down, you know he's not fully well."
Ikram released him, grabbed his hand, and said, "My favorite bro, how is your health? When I went to the hospital you couldn't talk to me much, and then I traveled to Abuja." They walked together with her holding his hand until they sat down, and she sat right next to him, wanting to practically melt into his body out of pure affection.
He scanned her face, partially blinking his eyes, and asked, "What were you doing in Abuja?"
"I went for a wedding."
He tugged her nose and said, "Miss Wedding."
Mummy, smiling, asked, "So when you finish greeting each other, will you greet me?" He chuckled briefly. Just then, Daddy walked in and said, "Ah, Rehaan! Fresh out of recovery and already roaming around?" He smiled and exchanged greetings with Daddy. Daddy asked, "How is your health?"
"I've recovered a great deal."
"May God increase your health and protect you going forward."
"Amin, Daddy."
At that moment, Jafar's younger siblings came in, exchanged greetings, and sat down while Daddy stepped out.
Mummy said, "Look at you visiting when Jafar is away in the UK."
"I came to see Mummy, not him."
She laughed and said, "Thank you so much, Rehaan. Ikram, bring him food to eat."
He didn't protest, as he hadn't eaten anything at Mamy's place, and Mummy felt just like a mother to him.
Ikram stood up, filled a tray with food, and brought it over. She served him herself and handed it to him. He took it and said, "Thank you."
Mummy said, "Jafar told me you are going to Jeddah."
He nodded and said, "I have a contract there; I'll go finish it and come back."
"May God help you, Rehaan, and continue to protect you."
"Amin, Mummy."
"Riyya sent us money and said it's for shopping. Thank you so much, Rehaan, may God bless your life."
"Amin," he answered softly while drinking water.
They engaged in light conversation with Mummy and Ikram until he finished eating. He sat for a brief moment before standing up to say, "Mummy, I have to go."
Mummy said, "Alright, Rehaan. Extend my greetings to Mamy." He agreed, and they walked out, chatting as Ikram accompanied him.
She walked him all the way to the car, holding onto his hand tightly, refusing to let go as if he were about to escape. He looked at her and asked, "Ikram, how is school?"
She smiled and said, "Praise be to God."
"May God help you. Go back inside now, I'm leaving."
Whining, she said, "I don't want you to leave, I want to come with you to Jeddah."
He smiled slightly and said, "When you come over, Ikram," as he gently detached her hand. Just as he was about to get into the car, Ikram called out, "Hamma Ray."
He turned back and looked at her as she stared back at him, blinking her eyes repeatedly. She said, "I love you."
He smiled, nodded, and said nothing. Even though he was used to saying "I love you" to his younger siblings and parents, he could sense that Ikram's type of love wasn't like Riyya's. Her tone conveyed something vastly different, and because he didn't want to cause any complications, he remained silent.
Whining further, she asked, "You can't say you love me too?"
"I love you, okay now?"
Joy flooded her heart, and she nodded happily, feeling like no one else could utter her name alongside those words quite like him. Rehaan got into the car as she waved goodbye, and they drove out of the compound. She let out a sigh, feeling his lingering cologne embrace her clothing. When he sits somewhere, his presence is deeply felt—especially for her, who had just hugged him.
She smiled, breathing in his scent, feeling her love for him sink deeper into her heart—not the love of a sister and brother, but the romantic love of lovers dreaming of marriage...
It looks like Mamy’s choice has been found! 🤭🤣
## 2. Summary
This narrative excerpt from a Hausa family drama centers around Rehaan, a young man who has recently recovered from an illness and is visiting his large, polygamous family home. Rehaan feels a deep sense of heaviness and emotional drain within the household.
The story unfolds across multiple tense dynamics:
- The Conflict over Salman: Salman, the eldest son, suffers from a severe mental impairment that has reduced his cognitive state to that of a toddler, yet he is loved and protected fiercely by his mother, Umma, who rejects any psychiatric intervention. Rehaan, out of compassion and financial capability, proposes taking Salman to Jeddah for specialized medical treatment. This offer triggers intense drama:
- Mama (another co-wife) and Umma view Rehaan's offer as a manipulative show of wealth and a threat to their status, fueled by deep-seated jealousy.
- Daada (the matriarch) and Abba (the father) support Rehaan's noble intentions, criticizing Umma's stubbornness and denial.
- Rehaan’s Visit to Mummy: Leaving the tension behind, Rehaan visits Mummy (another mother figure in the extended family) and her daughter Ikram. Unlike the toxic household politics, Ikram shows deep, undisguised romantic affection for Rehaan, hinting at a future romance that aligns with Mamy's hidden wishes.
- A Mysterious Subplot: In a parallel narrative shift, a young woman named Islaha is suddenly abducted in broad daylight by aggressive, muscular men in a tinted van, hooded, and taken to an unknown dark location, setting up a separate mystery.
## 3. Description of Analytics
- Character Archetypes & Dynamics: The text provides a classic study of polygamous household politics (gida biyu/gida biyar).
- Rehaan represents the modern, affluent, empathetic, yet emotionally reserved savior figure.
- Umma and Mama represent toxic maternal gatekeeping—prioritizing pride, status, and rivalry over a sick child’s welfare.
- Salman serves as the tragic emotional anchor of the house, highlighting themes of vulnerability, lost potential, and unconditional innocence.
- Psychological Subtext: The contrast between Rehaan's welcoming reception at Mummy's house and the hostility in his own home maps out the emotional toll of toxic family environments. Furthermore, the introduction of Ikram’s romantic fixation adds a layer of coming-of-age romantic tension, while Islaha's abrupt kidnapping injects high-stakes thriller elements into the narrative structure.
## 4. Comments
- Pacing and Atmosphere: The author does an exceptional job building contrasting atmospheres. The transition from the oppressive, toxic atmosphere of Mama and Umma's gossip to the warm, affectionate reception at Mummy's house is sharply defined.
- Character Realism: Salman's portrayal is heartbreakingly realistic—capturing both the innocence of mental regression and the tragic social stigma attached to mental health issues in traditional settings (as seen through Umma’s defensive denial of a "psychiatric hospital").
- Plot Integration: The sudden shift to Islaha's abduction at the tail end acts as a classic serial hook, promising higher-stakes drama, intrigue, and mystery in subsequent chapters.
## 5. Conclusions
This excerpt weaves together themes of family obligation, envy, medical stigma, and hidden romance. Rehaan’s genuine desire to heal his brother is weaponized by the senior wives as a turf war, exposing the rot of jealousy within the polygamous household. Simultaneously, the chapter sets up future narrative trajectories: the brewing romance between Rehaan and Ikram, and the dangerous mystery surrounding Islaha's abduction.
Would you like me to focus on a deeper character analysis of Rehaan or summarize the backstory of the other characters introduced in this chapter?
